Women’s leadership in community-led forest governance in India

Women in rural India have historically faced significant barriers to participating in forest governance despite their essential role as stewards of forest resources. Gender norms, limited mobility, and unequal access to education and leadership opportunities often restrict their involvement. However, state policies like the Forest Rights Act and quotas for women in forest management committees aim to address these inequities. This research explores how women in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh have overcome these challenges and played key leadership roles in forest governance. Factors such as family support, women’s collectives, and targeted training programs have empowered women to take on leadership roles. Through these avenues, women have contributed to improving forest management, including restoration projects and sustainable resource practices. Additionally, they have gained greater economic agency, particularly through increased control over forest-related incomes, like the tendu leaf trade. This highlights the transformative impact of women’s leadership on both forest conservation and community development, underlining the importance of continued policy support and community-level efforts to address persistent gender barriers.